Archive for the ‘Bird Houses’ Category
Touch Of Blue
“The bluebird carries the sky on his back”. Henry David Thoreau
It was a gray mornning, I tried to find blue skies, and they just weren’t there. The temperatures are rising though and the enormous piles of snow are disappearing leaving in their wake a glimpse of green grass.
As I peered out the sliding glass door watching the starlings decimate a new suet cake in the suet feeder, I was dreaming of the blue skies of spring, and how it is time to get out some the decorative bird houses that have been stored inside for the winter. Then, out of nowhere came two eastern bluebirds. They landed on the mealworm feeder, and I couldn’t help but be brought from my dreams to the reality of Thoreau’s words. There was the blue sky that I had been looking for so desperately. It was carried on the backs of the two little bluebirds. It became a ray of sunshine that set the tone for my entire day.
Hope you are having a great day!
Very Very Strange
Some things never cease to amaze me. Yesterday when I was doing my blog and looking for a picture of the brown-headed cowbird I discovered that this small member of the blackbird has some very strange nesting habits. They have a larger head than some of the other blackbirds and a shorter tail.
These rather distinctive looking birds have always fascinated me. They are always around, bobbing around on the ground at the foot of the feeder poles. They enjoy eating the seeds of grasses and weeds, as well as insects. They are enthralled with the free meals at the feeders too. The one I spotted staring at me from inside the platform feeder, flew over and sat on top of the blue bird house for quite some time before taking up residence on a high prominent tree branch.
When it comes to breeding time the female puts every bit of her energy into producing eggs. These are sometimes in excess of three dozen a summer. She doesn’t bother building a nest though. Rather she deposits her eggs in the nests of other bird species. A study once showed that the cowbird’s eggs have been found in over 220 other specie’s nests. They abandon their young to be fostered by the others, and usually at the expense of at least some of the other’s chicks.
Needless to say, the female is in need of lots of additional calcium due to laying so many eggs. So they eat snail shells and often even the eggs of some of the other nests they visit.
Mrs. Fix-It
The other day when I was sweeping out the garage and rearranging the snow shovels and cleaning off the shelves to make room for the gloves and hats we are not finished with yet, I ran across an old wooden bird house that I had put there for repairs. It is a wren house to be exact.
I proceded to the basement where I cleaned it out and off with some warm water and a few drops of clorox for disinfecting, and from there to my husband’s workbench. I found the proper hammer and nails to secure it all back together and took it out in the bright sunshine to dry thoroughly.
It is now safely back in the house awaiting a day in the very near future when I will hang the little wooden bird house outside. Here’s hoping that Mrs. Wren will find it as attractive as I do and will make it a cozy place to raise the little wrens this spring and summer.
Pondering
This winter will definitley go down in the record books. I heard the other day that every state in the country has had snow except Hawaii. We’ve have had our share here, but some that are not used to it are really having a rough time dealing - like Texas, Florida and Alabama to name a few. They just aren’t equipped to handle it.
Well, at the risk of repeating myself, neither are our winter birds. Their natural sources of food are buried under mounders of snow. The ground is frozen solid, so even when they can find solid ground. They are relying on bird feeders for food, and bird houses for places to keep warm. My blue bird house is never empty at night because it has become a winter haven for roosting and warmth.
Bird watching takes a back seat for me only to God and family. It has become a connection to God and spirituality. The beauty of nature and the beautiful birds God created are essential to my joy and gratitude for everything.
Exciting Updates
I just spent the last couple of hours updating my website. I am excited, and when the changes are published you will see why.
Bird Essentials is adding new product. There are lots of recycled bird feeders, new bird houses and some new binoclars. When I have it all done and publish the changes I will be showing off some of the new products here in the blog.
If you are in the mood to do some online shopping, Bird Essentials is where you will find the nesting materials you will be needing this spring. Now that is truly an exciting thought.
The Comforts Of Home
Birds need places to get out of the wind and snow to stay warm. Shrubby growth and evergreens like junipers and pines are great at providing this cover. It can be enhanced by leaving your nest boxes up over the winter. Whether they are decorative bird houses or wooden bird houses like wren or bluebird houses, they house slumber parties with the birds huddling together to stay warm.
Be sure to position your bird feeders and baths close to the shelter you have provided for them, and you will have birds all winter long.
It’s My House - No, It’s Mine
If I had a nickel for each time I have seen or do see this, I would be rich, beyond my wildest dreams. Some of those feathers I was talking about yesterday, are a result of some the bickering and bantering between the finches and the tufted titmouse over the blue bird house. I can be quite entertaining.
As far as I can deduct the finches win most of the time, but I am not always fortunate enough to see the winners every day. The tufted titmouse appears to be large in comparison to the other birds that visit the bird feeders, mainly because of their large had and heavy neck. Apparently they are not too big to get into the blue bird house. They can also be quite aggressive. So I might just be wrong. And that is fine.
Enough Of Home Tweet Home
Get me out of here!! Finally. Yesterday I went back to work after several days at home while I recuperated from my surgery. I really didn’t feel up to doing a whole lot while I was there. But 5 whole days confined to home with restrictions on what I can do is all I could take. I am usually on the go non-stop, so I was starting to go a bit mad.
I learned a lot about my backyard visitors in the five days. You’ve seen the cats at the window - it’s their fountain of youth. The black-capped chickadees are winning the war for the blue bird house that has become their roosting box for the winter. The eastern bluebirds have finally decided that the newly relocated mealworms are just as good as when they were in the previous spot, and the days are getting longer, so there is more time each day to watch and absorb my wonderful feathered friends.
Dashing Through
Yes, a mad dash to the finish. I always put off a lot of the things that need to be done to the bitter end. After my many years on this earth, I have come to realized that I enjoy the hustle and bustle. It gives me spirit.
So, tomorrow will be one of my rare days off from posting to this blog. And, today, BirdEssentials.com and I want to thank all of you for your continued interest, support and patronage.
Wishing each and every one of you and joy filled, memorable and blessed Christmas and holiday season. Remember the reason for the season, and be blessed with the reason Jesus was born. May He be remembered the way He should be. And yes, I am thankful for the opportunity He has given us for eternal life.
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Double Duty
Wow is it COLD! Yes, I know it is colder in other places. It’s just the wind chills and dampness in the air from the snow on the gound and the chill just runs right through your entire core.
One of the most used items in my yard right now are the bird houses. They are doing double duty by providing shelter to the birds from the cold. The other day I watched at least 6 finches come out of the blue bird house, and though I do not always get up at dawn to see whose been sleeping where, I have been told that they just keep piling into the bird houses until they can’t get another in safely and keep each other warm and just roost in there until daybreak. The other day there several roosting in the decorative bird house. I have to admit, they look pretty funny all stumbling out of there one right after the other.
"…"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
(Isaiah 9:6)